Article Written for Stickandpoketattookit.com ย 5/6/13
The facts about Self-Tattooing
Many ancient cultures used tattoo for decorative, protective and symbolic reasons. It could ward of evil for women during childbirth, signify a warrior and denote prestige in oneโs tribe. Most recently, humans have been tattooing out of boredom, desire to adorn oneโs body with something life affirming and significant. Itโs also cool to have a best friend tattoo you (sometimes while intoxicated) in order to remember this crazy-awesome moment forever.
Whatever the complex reason, the tools are pretty simple and easy to get ahold of: a sharp object and some dark black liquid. Dip in the ink, poke, wipe and repeat. If one is hard up for these supplies, such as in a jail, the sharp object may be a paper clip, scraped along one of many cement walls to form more or less a point. Ink can be taken from a pen, or made from burned anything (carbon) mixed with a liquid. On the โoutside,โ one can simply procure a sewing needle and some artist ink (India ink is quite common). Wrap the needle with thread in order to hold the ink, and Presto! – a permanent memory maker.
I explored the stick and poke tattoo right after opening a โnew chapterโ in my life two years ago (that may or may not have involved a break up followed by early-life crisis ;-P ). Some cool new friends assured me that they have done it a โmillion times,โ and the evidence was all over them in the form of cute little symbols ย that meant something to them. I liked the concept. I was in. I now have 3 stick and pokes and 2 gun tattoos. I love them! The story doesnโt end thereโฆ.
There are just a few issues with poking deep into oneโs skin repeatedly (as you can imagine). One: you possibly-may introduce pathogens (think STIโs, flesh eating bacteria). {Never share ink or needles, always sterilize!!!} Second: oh – what is the black stuff you are making stay between your skin tissue and having your body digest over time? Um yeah.
Artist ink, india ink, pen ink are all made for paper. Not even for the TOP of your skin, much less inside. Did you know that ink can contain toxic chemicals? Let old Wiki tell you about Ink:
โInk can be a complex medium, composed ofย solvents, pigments, dyes,ย resins,ย lubricants,ย solubilizers,ย surfactants,ย particulate matter,ย fluorescers, and other materials. The components of inks serve many purposes; the inkโs carrier, colorants, and other additives control flow and thickness of the ink and its appearance whenย dry.โย โ Wikipedia page on Ink
One toxic chemical commonly found in pen ink isย asp-Anisidine, to which Wiki exclaims, โInappropriate contact can cause effects such as severe headaches, skin irritation, orย nervous system damage.โ
Sidenote: It is a little known fact that Professional Tattoo Ink is not regulated by the FDA. It can be made of almost anything. Think about the new black light and neon colors. Sound kosher to you? ย I recently made an appointment to go get a tattoo and I asked my artist which ink she will be using. She replied โTalenโs.โ Talenโs ink is a drawing ink made for artists to Do Art. On Paper. I told her Iโd be bringing my own (sterile, vegan ink with 4 benign ingredients made just for my largest and most visible organ).
Thus a product is born. Stick and pokes are all around us โ and why not. It is great. Adults are celebrating their independence, their personalities, their friends, and their beliefs by tattooing themselves and each other. Letโs do it in a more safe way.
I have painstakingly researched the best stuff to go into a โtattoo kitโ so that this process can be cleaner and with less risk of reaction, infection and with ink that is free from toxic chemicals.
My handmade in San Francisco kits include: sterile professional vegan tattoo ink, a sterile needle, sterile gloves, sterile alcohol wipes, sterile gauze, and a sterile bandage. I include a cute lil book with history, instructions, and tattoo ideas. If you plan on sticking and poking, I hope you consider your health and their health of those involved. Namaste bitches! Must be 18 to purchase. Bulk orders available.
Nicole L. produces Stick and Poke Tattoo Kits